www.BusinessExaminer.ca
May 2021
ACCENT INNS STRIKES GOLD TWICE - 12 Accent Inns CEO Mandy Farmer on the Hotel Zed VW shuttle Van ‘Scooby’
PACIFIC ROLLSHUTTERS & AWNINGS CELEBRATES MILESTONE – 16
CAPITAL CITY RECYCLING CLEANING UP THE CRD – 20
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2
Recovery is in the air. Our conversations with Capital Region companies have been encouraging as the government and business community make slow steps toward moving the economy forward. While there is no playbook to deal with situations like the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses of all sizes and industries are adapting on the fly to survive and grow in some of the most challenging economic conditions in our lifetime. Amongst these challenges, we continue telling the stories of businesses pressing forward, evolving and succeeding. Accent Inns’ CEO Mandy Farmer leads this edition with a look at her company’s major award wins. Also featured is the story of Capital City Recycling, a local player in the highly competitive waste management sector. Our Capital Region Chambers of Commerce updates, alongside the Movers & Shakers, Who Is Suing Whom, and much more are inside. Keep battling, John MacDonald, Director, Business Development Contact Us 25 Cavan Street Nanaimo, BC V9R 2T9 +1 866-758-2684 info@businessexaminer.ca www.BusinessExaminer.ca Office Hours Monday – Friday: 9:00am – 5:00 pm Saturday – Sunday: Closed Editor: Lise MacDonald (lise@businessexaminer.ca) Press Releases & Story Ideas: (media@businessexaminer.ca) Sales: John MacDonald (john@businessexaminer.ca)
May 2021
6 NEWS UPDATE
9 WEST SHORE
8 ADVISORY
10 GREATER VICTORIA
12 OFF THE COVER
14 CITIFIED
16 PACIFIC ROLLSHUTTERS
18 WHO IS SUING WHOM
20 CAPITAL CITY RECYCLING
22 OPINION
MOVERS & SHAKERS Announcements, business changes, celebrations and other hidden gems from around Central/North Vancouver Island. Curated just for you.
Submit your company’s announcement to: media@businessexaminer.ca
24 TOURISM
25 MOVERS AND SHAKERS
NEWS UPDATE
BC MARKETS CALMING STILL ON RECORD PACE
6
HOUSING DEMAND REMAINS HIGH
BRITISH COLUMBIA - The British Columbia
A total of 1,116 properties sold in the Victoria
Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that
Real Estate Board region this April, 288.9 per
a total of 13,683 residential unit sales were re-
cent more than the 287 properties sold in April
corded by the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)
2020, but 4.9 per cent fewer than the previous
in April 2021, an increase of 312.3 per cent over
month of March. Sales of condominiums were
April 2020 when the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic prompted a lockdown of the provincial economy. The average MLS residential price in BC was $946,606, a 29.1 per cent increase from $733,330 recorded in April 2020. Total sales dollar volume was $12.9 billion, a 432.2 per cent increase from last year. “Although provincial home sales were down slightly from an all-time high in March, sales activity was the highest on record for April,” said BCREA Chief Economist Brendon Ogmundson. “Home sales continue on a record pace,
up 353.4 per cent from April 2020 with 331 units sold. 12.2 per cent fewer condominiums sold in April 2021 than in the previous month of March. Sales of single-family homes were up 246 per cent from April 2020 with 564 sold. 1.7 per cent fewer single-family homes sold in April 2021 than in the previous month of March. The MLS Home Price Index benchmark value for a single-family home in the Victoria Core in April 2020 was $884,600. The benchmark value for the same home in April 2021 increased by
though we do see a calming environment com-
12.6 per cent to $996,500, a 2.9 per cent increase
pared to the frenzied activity of recent months.”
from the previous month of March. The MLS®
Total active residential listings were down
HPI benchmark value for a condominium in the
14.5 per cent year-over-year in April but did
Victoria Core in April 2020 was $533,600, while
tick higher on a seasonally adjusted basis for
the benchmark value for the same condomini-
the second consecutive month as new listings
um in April 2021 was $547,600, a 2.6 per cent
activity ramped up.
increase. May 2021
NEWS UPDATE
CITY OF VICTORIA TO REDUCE CONSTRUCTION WASTE
NEW ELECTRIC FIREBOLTS COME TO VICTORIA
May 14, 2021 With over a third of Victoria’s landfilled material coming from the construction sector, the City will pen a new bylaw that will substantially increase the salvage of reusable building materials starting next year. Construction and demolition activities in Victoria generate between 10,000 and 20,000 tonnes of landfilled waste each year. Wood products, including old growth lumber, make up two thirds of this waste. Reducing waste from the built environment was one of the priority actions identified in Zero Waste Victoria which Council approved in December 2020. Out of 40 strategies within the plan, this action alone will bring the City 15 per cent of the way towards its waste reduction goal of 50 per cent by 2040. This direction by Council is also aligned with the Capital Regional District’s newly adopted Solid Waste Management Plan, which aims to cut waste by a third over the next ten years. Unlike conventional demolition, deconstruction involves taking apart a house in the reverse order it was built, allowing nearly all the materials to be diverted from landfill and either reused or recycled. These salvageable materials include old growth lumber that was used to build homes up until the 1960s.
The Victoria Fire Department has deployed five 2020 Chevrolet Bolt LT electric vehicles (EVs). The new EVs, fondly referred to as FireBolts, will replace three, small gas-powered pick-up trucks and two mid-size SUVs previously used by the Fire Prevention Division. To support this new EV fleet, two Level 2 chargers have been installed at the Victoria Fire Department Headquarters on Yates Street. Thanks to the estimated 400-kilometre range per battery charge, the FireBolts are not at risk of running out of range while performing their duties. The Fire Prevention Division will use the EVs to travel to various locations throughout the city to conduct fire safety inspections and deliver community safety education sessions. The procurement of new fleet vehicles is managed by the City’s Engineering and Public Works Department which is also in the process of developing the City’s Green Fleet Plan in 2021. This Plan will provide clear direction on actions and policies required to support the widespread transition of the City’s fleet from fossil fuel-powered vehicles to EVs and other renewably-fueled transportation alternatives.
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7
ADVISORY
HOW TO MAKE YOUR BUSINESS ASSETS WORK FOR YOU IN RETIREMENT
Shawn Heidema, BBA CIM, CFP, CPCA
8
The pandemic has caused many business owners to accelerate their transition plans. Once they’ve gone through the process of selling their business assets, the lump sum they’re left with should help fund their retirement dreams. When I assist clients in this situation, our discussions usually focus on how they can best convert these proceeds into a stable retirement income. I share with them that a well-designed retirement income plan should take into consideration many elements, including: – How can I ensure the safety of my principal? – How do I mitigate inflation, or of out-living my money? – How can I control my tax situation? As a start, here are some tips to consider if these thoughts are also weighing on your mind: • Just like with your business, solving complex problems probably never came down to one approach. Likewise, you’re going to have a difficult time making your corporate savings both 100% guaranteed, while also realizing some meaningful growth, if your
strategy’s not diversified. When you plan, consider using a variety of investment types (term deposits but also things like blue-chip stocks) and then align them to specific time horizons. This will allow more control over risk and can also enhance your return potential. • Tax has been on your mind for years, but did you know there are some specific things you can do to control its impact on your savings? Consider using corporate-class investment funds, which are designed to be more tax-friendly inside your corporation. Also, using a fee-based investment program will allow you to use some of your expenses as deductions. If retiring’s on the horizon for you, find an experienced and trusted Certified Financial Planner (CFP) to help you make the most of your retirement income. But as the saying goes, teamwork makes the dreamwork—coordinating the financial planning, tax and legal professionals in your life will allow them to do a much better job for you. And that means more free time to enjoy the other things in retirement… Fore! Shawn Heidema, BBA CIM, CFP, CPCA is a Private Wealth Advisor / Investment Advisor at Coastal Community Private Wealth Group / Credential Securities For more info, call 250.268.4594 Mutual funds, other securities and securities related financial planning are offered through Credential Securities, a division of Credential Qtrade Securities Inc. Credential Securities is a registered mark owned by Aviso Wealth Inc.
May 2021
WEST SHORE
WHERE IS THE SUPPORT FOR NON-PROFITS?
JULIE LAWLOR Like many other chambers and businesses in the province, we welcomed the news that the provincial government had increased the funding and expanded the eligibility of the Circuit Breaker Business Relief Grant. The $50 million grant program originally opened on April 12th to support restaurants, cafes, pubs and fitness businesses impacted by the Public Health Orders of March 31st. After the implementation of travel restrictions on April 24th and the continuation of the PHOs until May 25th, $75 million was added to the fund and the eligibility was expanded to include accommodation providers. This is great news if you are an impacted business. It is not great news if you are an impacted non-profit. Non-profits are not eligible to apply for the Circuit Breaker Business Relief Grant. WestShore Chamber non-profit members impacted by PHOs but ineligible for funding include the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 91 (Langford), West Shore Parks and Recreation and YMCA-YWCA Westhills. WWW.BUSINESSEX AMINER.CA
Non-profits are also not eligible to apply for the provincial Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant, which provides grants of $10,000-$30,000 to impacted businesses, with an additional $5,000-$15,000 available for eligible tourism-related businesses. Non-profits are significant employers and contributors to the economy, to say nothing of their community contribution. According to Statistics Canada, “economic activity in the non-profit sector totalled $169.2 billion in 2017, representing 8.5% of Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP).” Getting back to a healthy economy post-COVID means supporting all sectors of our economy now. I am writing this article at the end of April, and nothing would delight me more than to learn before publication that what I’ve written is redundant because the province has introduced support for non-profits. In the meantime, the chamber network will continue to advocate in all areas where we see needs or gaps. To further connect with us, you can sign up for our e-news on our “Contact Us” page or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. We’re here to help! Julie Lawlor is Executive Director at the WestShore Chamber of Commerce.
9
GREATER VICTORIA
CHAMBER CHANGE MAKERS SPREADING JOY OF GETTING IMMUNIZED shot and were heading out into the sunshine. The better days we’ve been working so hard for are a little more tangible now. BC’s immunization plan is rolling out faster than anticipated, and it’s looking like we will have our summer of safe celebration. That’s been the experience of other jurisdictions that are farther along in getting people vaccinated. The United Kingdom, for example, had record numbers of new COVID cases in January but is now down to a handful after half the population had their first dose. Deaths and hospitalizations also dropped and there’s a sense of revitalization among people finally able to get their social
10
lives back. After a slow start, Canada has shifted into a BRUCE WILLIAMS
Where did you get your first dose of COVID-19 vaccine?
higher gear. The supply of vaccines continues to ramp up and the expectation is all Canadians will have a chance to experience the joy of getting their first dose by July 1. The only cloud
There’s a growing buzz building at pharmacies
threatening our return to the sun is vaccine
and immunization clinics across Greater Victo-
hesitancy. We’ve seen examples of that in some
ria as the light marking the end of the pandemic
jurisdictions where citizens lack clear channels
is getting a lot brighter. I must admit, getting
of information. Let’s not let that happen here.
vaccinated was a profound moment for me.
At the Chamber, we’re doing our part by ask-
There was a hum of anticipation among those
ing business and community leaders to post
waiting their turn, a feeling of community and
photos of themselves with their proof of vacci-
doing your part. Some were even welling up
nation. We call them #ChamberChangeMakers
with tears knowing they would soon get their
and hope all of you do the same and promote
much anticipated vaccination — and from see-
your newly vaccinated status when it’s your
ing the joy on the faces of those who had their
turn. The campaign is working. It’s building
May 2021
GREATER VICTORIA trust in the process and creating excitement
Years from now, when we look back at our
and awareness that we really can put the past
pandemic experience, I know you’ll remember
behind us.
the moment you felt the joy of being part of the
Businesses have been leaders throughout the pandemic and will lead the way out as we
solution — and we’ll all think a little less about the long months it’s taken to get us here.
transition to fundamentally sound economic growth. All indicators suggest that pent up
VictoriaChamber.ca/Events
demand, months of unspent savings and new
• May 20, 8 a.m., Member Networking Break-
job opportunities will be a boon for business.
fast (online)
Government has begun planning to carefully
• June 11, 12 p.m., Business Restart Series
turn down the taps of public spending as the
with BC’s Minister of Indigenous Relations
private sector ramps up. There is a lot to be
and Reconciliation
excited about in the months and years ahead. Vaccination is what will get us there. So,
• June 17, 5 p.m., Virtual Tailgate Business Mixer with the Victoria HarbourCats
again, please be a change maker. Book your
Bruce Williams is CEO of the
appointment as soon as possible and encourage
Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
others to do the same.
WWW.BUSINESSEX AMINER.CA
11
OFF THE COVER
ACCENT INNS STRIKES GOLD TWICE VICTORIA CHAMBER AND VIREB COMMERCIAL BUILDING AWARDS FOR ACCENT AND HOTEL ZED IN MAY
12
VICTORIA – Mandy Farmer and Accents Inns struck double gold this month. Mandy Farmer, CEO of Accents Inns, received the Community Builder award in the 2021 Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Awards, which followed their Hotel Zed winning the Hospitality Category in the 14th annual Vancouver Island Real Estate Board Commercial Building Awards May 7. “At Accent Inns Inc. we believe in leading with love and this award means that this principle permeates beyond our buildings into the communities that we work in,” says Farmer. “Here we are always asking ourselves, ‘how can we help?’ And it is my team that finds these amazing opportunities to care for our communities. I am so proud of my team and the big hearts they have.” Accents Inns’ efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic have been extraordinary, led by positive leadership and their values: “Be Real; Make Everything Better, Have Each Other’s Backs and Have Fun.” Being pro-active and creative not only helped many others, it resulted in Accent Inns outperforming competitors in Revenue Per Available Room by 2.6 times from March to June, and their occupancy outperformed competitors by 2.5 times. When the pandemic hit, Accent Inns got a call
Accent Inns CEO Mandy Farmer
from a local nurse on the verge of tears because some of her nursing staff were sleeping in their cars to avoid exposing their families to the virus. Accent Inns responded with a rock bottom rate for essential workers to safely isolate and took it to media to spread the word. Immediately, their phones started ringing off May 2021
OFF THE COVER the hook, with community members offering to pay for the stays. Within 24 hours they connected with United Way of Greater Victoria and
respecting the natural environment and traditional First Nations guardianship of the land. Hotel Zed Tofino is the first hotel in the world
created the Hotels for Frontline Workers Fund. To date, this fund has raised $120,000 to cover the costs of these stays. Accent Inns also worked with local schools to initiate a letter-writing campaign where students could thank frontline workers, and the letters were posted in their rooms. Accent Inns also helped Variety, the Children’s Charity, as they needed help supporting BC families with special needs children. Accent Inns launched the No Ducks Left Behind Campaign, which gave guests an option to donate 25% of their stay to Variety, which raised almost $10,000 on top of Accent Inn’s corporate donations. Accent Inns also transformed their reservations team into a call centre for Variety’s Boat for Hope event. Accent Inns has five locations in the province, including Vancouver Airport, Burnaby, Kelowna and Kamloops. Hotel Zed has three: Victoria, Kelowna and Tofino. The Tofino location opened last year, and has been an instant success. There were 45 finalists in the VIREB Commercial Building Awards, and Hotel Zed was judged to be one of 11 Award of Excellence Winners. Hotel Zed transformed the Tofino highway property from a hotel to an experiential travel destination. By expanding the occupancy from 30 rooms to 60 and adding one-of-a-kind amenities, this renovation increased growth potential by 157% year over year while still
with a bike-through lobby, which is a “detoured extension” of Tofino’s Multi Use Path that is open to locals and guests alike. Other completely unordinary amenities include a mini-disco with a light-up dance floor and a secret retro arcade that is revealed by a moving wall. “When opening Hotel Zed in Tofino we became the first accommodations partner to sign on with Tribal Park Allies,” notes Farmer. “As part of this commitment we ask guests to contribute 1 per cent of their bill to the Tribal Parks Allies Program so the Tla-o-qui-aht Nation can continue the restoration and guardianship of their lands.” https://www.accentinns.com
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13
Citified.ca
HARRIS AUTO GROUP BUILDS LANDMARK DEALERSHIP Sponsored by
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CENTRAL SAANICH The Tsawout First Nation is celebrating the start of construction on a 6,700 square foot cultural project along Stautw Road near the banks of Haro Strait. Known as the Bighouse, the “unique cultural and social preservation and revitalization” initiative will replace the Tsawout Nation’s longhouse destroyed by fire over a decade ago and return a gathering, learning and healing centre to the community. Although work on the structure is progressing quickly, funds for the Bighouse interior finishings are being raised through a $100,000 GoFundMe campaign to help carry the project through to completion. Money will go towards the building of a community kitchen, a seating arena and finishing details. COLWOOD & LANGFORD A vacant property split by the Colwood and Langford border will become a landmark automotive dealership as Harris Auto Group works to relocate its downtown Victoria dealership. Harris Victoria Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, currently situated between Yates and View streets at Cook Street, has begun construction under partnership with Starlight Developments and Island West Coast Developments (IWCD) on a 35,000 square foot dealership on Veterans GREATER VICTORIA’S COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE LEADER.
G IN M ON CO SO
T D UR RE CO DE LE R SA O
Memorial Parkway at Meaford Avenue (near Langford’s Lowe’s home improvement store). ESQUIMALT An Alberta-based developer is proposing nearly 130 rental residences along the 500-block of West Bay Terrace at Dunsmuir Road. Wexford Developments has applied to construct a five-storey complex on the footprint of 530-538 West Bay Terrace and 877-879 Dunsmuir Road, currently home to five single storey multi-unit rental buildings. The proposal, designed by Victoria-based de Hoog Kierulf Architects, spans roughly 170 meters north to south, and includes five residential levels with a rooftop amenity area for residents. SAANICH A Manitoba-based developer with a burgeoning roster of rental apartments on the West Shore has set its sights on the Tillicum neighbourhood with a two-building proposal. Planned at six and five-storeys tall, the project from Ironclad Developments is earmarked for 14 properties along the 3000-blocks of Tillicum Road and Albina Street at Obed Avenue, with the six-storey massing fronting Tillicum Road and the five-storey massing fronting Albina Street. Although a unit count has not been identified by the developer, the density seek is anticipated to R FOALE S
LD
SO
LD
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CHRIS RUST PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT INVESTMENT PROPERTIES GROUP
250 386 0005
chris.rust@cbre.com
ROSS MARSHALL PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT INVESTMENT PROPERTIES GROUP
250 386 0004
ross.marshall@cbre.com
Coming Soon!
Two Waters
1368 Pandora Avenue
Langford, BC
Colwood, BC
Victoria, BC
68 Acre Residential Development Site
26.5 Acre Oceanfront Community Development Opportunity
24 Suite Apartment Building $7,400,000
OPT IN TO RECEIVE OUR EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY LISTINGS
1964 Oak Bay Avenue & 1513 Amphion Street Victoria, BC
Investment / Development Property
7900 Lochside Drive Saanichton, BC
Brand New Retail / Office Building
www.cbrevictoria.com
1026 FORT STREET, VICTORIA, BC, V8V 3K4 CBRE LIMITED, REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE
May 2021
Citified.ca
A rendering of a planned development at 9 Erskine Lane in View Royal. Four rental buildings totalling nearly 350-units of purpose-built apartments are proposed near Victoria General Hospital. © THUJA Architecture + Design
land in the range of 200-suites in one, two and three-bedroom layouts. SIDNEY An already approved condominium project is back before the municipality with a larger footprint and unit count following an adjacent property acquisition by the proponent. Developer Mike Geric Construction, currently building the mass timber-designed Tresah condominiums in Victoria’s Mayfair District and having recently sold-out of its Reeve townhomes in Saanich’s Royal Oak neighbourhood, is once again seeking approvals for an upcoming condominium offering known as The Rise on 5th. Approved last year for two properties (9570 and 9574 Fifth Street) was a 19-unit concept with underground parking. Post-approvals the developer acquired an adjacent property (at 9566 Fifth Street) providing an opportunity to expand the building while yielding space for 36 residences in studio, two and three-bedroom layouts. SOOKE A major retail plaza has been proposed for Sooke’s town centre with enough square footage to more than double the core’s commercial base
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and bring the district’s retail capacity to nearly 520,000 square feet. Coming to the 6700-blocks of West Coast Road/Highway 14 and Eustace Road at Gatewood Road is a nine-acre project comprised of 156,000 square feet of commercial construction, including 15,000 square feet of offices, across six buildings from developer Mid America Venture Capital Corp. If approved, the shopping centre will become Sooke’s largest commercial destination.\
VICTORIA Three up-market residential towers at Dockside Green – comprised of 365-suites amid one of the world’s most environmentally sustainable urban communities – are now underway at the entrance to the burgeoning Vic West neighbourhood. Among them is Dockside Green’s first condominium offering in over a decade, a 107-home tower comprised of one, two and three-bedroom layouts. VIEW ROYAL A multi-building rental development along Erskine Lane in View Royal is moving through the approvals process as one of the largest development undertakings within the municipality. Planned for 9 Erskine Way are nearly 350-units of purpose-built rental apartments across four five-storey buildings designed in a west coast theme. The project, from Squamish-based THUJA Architecture + Design, will include a mix of studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments with 10 per cent of homes earmarked as affordable with household incomes limited to $74,150 for studio and one-bedroom layouts, and $113,040 for two and three-bedroom layouts.
15
FEATURE STORY
PACIFIC ROLLSHUTTERS & AWNINGS CELEBRATES MILESTONE VICTORIA COMPANY SHELTERING CUSTOMERS FROM THE ELEMENTS FOR THREE DECADES
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VICTORIA – Pacific Rollshutters & Awnings is celebrating three decades of sheltering customers from the elements like rain, snow and excessive sunlight this year. Peter Stofko and his wife Lori purchased the company in 2020, following over a dozen years in the homebuilding and remodeling industry. The original owner and founder of the business is still around and helps with service work and staff training and today, Pacific is Vancouver Island’s largest retailer of awnings, rollshutters, louvered pergolas and retractable roof systems. “We can help with protection from sun, rain, wind, privacy with many options and price points available,” states Peter, adding they have a full showroom at 2745 Bridge Street showcasing their products. “We now offer large selection of products for both residential and commercial customers.” Pacific Rollshutters & Awnings is the exclusive dealer for StruXure Louvered Pergola systems on Vancouver Island, which was named the Best Outdoor Product of 2020. “The fully aluminum system offers protection from sun, rain and wind. With the louvers closed, the roof is water-proof,” he notes, adding StruXure works great for patios, decks, or outdoor kitchens and is an ideal solution for restaurants or hotels wanting year-round patio seating.
“No other patio covering system is able to do everything that this system does, with its ability to open and close, provide protection from sun, rain and wind, withstand snow, heavy winds and to add side screens or heaters,” he says. Talius, an industry-leading British Columbia company, is Pacific’s main supplier of rollshutters and retractable screens. “Talius products offer both security for homes and businesses – rollshutters - and sun, Ultra-Violet protection for windows and doors, as well as wind protection for outdoor spaces. We do carry other suppliers of retractable screens as well.” Retractable awnings are the “bread and butter” of the business, although fixed glass patio covers are also becoming increasingly popular with customers. Products like these have proven to be in greater demand recently, and the company has grown its full-time staff by 100 percent “just to keep up May 2021
FEATURE STORY
17 Pacific Rollshutters & Awnings offers a wide variety of products for multiple uses
“Quality, industry leading products and superior customer service both during the sales process and during installation process have been the keys to our success,” he notes. “We also service our products and offer a minimum five-year warranty on everything we do.” www.PacificAwnings.ca
Congratulations to Pacific Rollshutters on your 30th Anniversary!
with demand due to pandemic-related spending on homes”, Stofko states. “We experienced the best year ever in 2020, and 2021 has so far exceeded that.” He credits that growth to the service and products the company offers.
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R
Rollshutters & Habitat Screens™
www.talius.com CANADA/USA
MEXICO
CARIBBEAN
1-800-665-5550
WHO IS SUING WHOM The contents of Who’s Suing Whom is provided by a thirdparty resource and is accurate according to public court documents. Some of these cases may have been resolved by publication date. DEFENDANT 0775658 BC Ltd 2995 Moray Ave, Courtenay, BC PLAINTIFF Alsco Canada Corporation CLAIM $7,239 DEFENDANT 653440 BC Ltd 202-58 Station St, Duncan, BC PLAINTIFF DMC Westcoast Developments Ltd CLAIM $655,000
18
DEFENDANT AFC Industries Ltd 201-467 Cumberland Rd, Courtenay, BC
Powerhouse Sheet Rock Ltd CLAIM $118,466 DEFENDANT BC Moving and Storage Ltd 4th Flr 1007 Fort St, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Island RTA Kitchens Ltd CLAIM $15,410 DEFENDANT BCBI Contracting 17 70 Ja y B e l l T ra i l , Qualicum Beach, BC PLAINTIFF Central Builders Supply Limited CLAIM $7,069
DEFENDANT Cody Bird Construction 2393 I nvera rity Rd, Duncan, BC PLAINTIFF Central Builders Supply Limited CLAIM $19,555 DEFENDANT Courtenay Spring & Welding Inc 27 74 R e n n i s o n R d , Courtenay, BC PLAINTIFF Glacier Pipe Cleaning & Setting CLAIM $22,568 DEFENDANT Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada 2900-550 Bu rra rd St, Vancouver, BC PLAINTIFF
Guy, Patrick CLAIM $17,791 DEFENDANT Ironclad Developments Inc 3rd Flr 26 Bastion Square, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Image Pro Exterior Contracting Co. CLAIM $142,648 DEFENDANT Island Pallet Solutions Ltd 3501 Aqua Terra Rd, Cassidy, BC PLAINTIFF Westerra Equipment LP CLAIM $6,024 JBR Construction Ltd 2700-700 West Georgia St, Vancouver, BC PLAINTIFF
Region
Project Address
Project Type
Project Details
Low Bid / Award
Amount
Victoria
625 Fisgard St
Consulting services
Architectural CRD Headquarters Building
Low Hammond Rowe Architects Inc
130,500
Victoria
675 Belleville St
Services
Elevator and Escalator Maintenance
ThyssenKrupp Elevator Victoria
650,000
Saanich
Various locations
Civil work
Culduthel Storm Drain and Sewer Replacement
Michell Excavating
426,151
Saanich
1703 Keating Cross Rd
Supply
Rental of Bobcats
Sunbelt Rentals of Canada
N/A
Saanich
Various locations
Consulting services
Development Process Review
KPMG LLP
N/A
Saanich
1525 Cedar Hill X Rd
Institutional add/alter
Luther Court Alterations
Story Construction
North Saanich
Lochside Dr
Roads & bridges
Root Damage Repair and Repaving
Allterra Construction Ltd
Duncan
Canada Ave
Civil work
Sanitary Sewer Upgrade
Copcan Civil Ltd
Nanaimo
Metral Dr
Civil work
Complete Street Corridor - Phase 2
IWC Excavation Ltd
Nanaimo
2020 Labieux Rd
Institutional add/alter
Nanaimo Public Works Yard
Kasian Arch Interior Design & Planning
Nanaimo RD
585 N Rd, Gabriola Is
Institutional add/alter
Huxley Community Skatepark
Radius Contracting Inc
Parksville
385 Bay Ave
Civil work
Wastewater Pump Station Replacement
Coast Utility Contracting
4,594,348
Cumberland
Various Locations
Civil work
Wastewater Treatment Upgrade - CM / PM
Maple Reinders / Colliers Project Leaders
9,700,000
Courtenay
Hwy 19A
Roads & bridges
Asphalt Road Resurfacing
OK Industries Ltd
5,166,477
Campbell River
Various locations
Roads & bridges
Bridge Fabrication and Installation
Surespan Structures
1,400,000 97,613 372,111 5,968,579 N/A 697,700
636,146
May 2021
WHO IS SUING WHOM Standard Building Supplies Ltd CLAIM $51,072 DEFENDANT Looten Healthcare Ltd 2300-550 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC PLAINTIFF B2B Marketing Inc CLAIM $13,701 DEFENDANT NAC Constructors Ltd 17 B a d e n P o w e l l S t , Duncan, BC PLAINTIFF Global Masonry Ltd CLAIM $31,629 DEFENDANT OK Tire (Courtenay) 2995 Moray Ave, Courtenay, BC PLAINTIFF
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Alsco Canada Corporation CLAIM $7,239 DEFENDANT ORA Homes 3543 Falcon Dr, Nanaimo, BC PLAINTIFF Matrix Marble Corporation CLAIM $11,613 DEFENDANT Owners of Strata Plan Eps 3895 4215 Gellatly Rd South, West Kelowna, BC PLAINTIFF FX Insurance Brokers Ltd CLAIM $13,905 DEFENDANT PA Flooring Depot Inc 3290 3rd Ave, Port Alberni, BC
PLAINTIFF Island RTA Kitchens Ltd CLAIM $15,410 DEFENDANT Qualicum Bay Contracting Ltd 280 Fourneau Way, Parksville, BC PLAINTIFF Kirk, Aine CLAIM $16,269 DEFENDANT Sharples Contracting Ltd 2731 Green Vale Ave, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Island Furnace & Fireplace Wholesale CLAIM $7,046 DEFENDANT Vancouver Island Traps Supply Ltd
3430 Hammond Bay Rd, Nanaimo, BC PLAINTIFF Harris Rebar CLAIM $14,737 DEFENDANT Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club 826 Johnson St, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF James, Siobhan Irony CLAIM $35,176 DEFENDANT Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company 400-1985 West Broadway, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Waite, Jack CLAIM $35,176
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FEATURE STORY
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From left: Ron Schwab, Nadine Leahy, Stephen Scott, Jamie Warkentine, Brian Schwab, Bob, Kristen Taylor and Rick Vander Beesen. In front are containers to show the sizes CCR works with: silver aluminum cans for typical residential garbage, with the other cans that can be tipped into the trucks: green for food waste and organics, black for garbage and the blue for recycling.
CAPITAL CITY RECYCLING CLEANING UP THE CRD COMPANY KNOWN FOR GOING THE EXTRA MILE FOR CUSTOMERS VICTORIA - Are your cans in good hands? Rick Van and Ron Schwab, co-owners of Capital City Recycling, want to know. “In 2009, the local waste company that I had been working for, for the previous 15 years, was sold and I decided to buy a small truck and started looking for residential and commercial customers to service” says Rick Van. In 2015, with the advent of the CRD ban on food scraps, Rick quickly realized he needed some much-needed assistance and sought out Ron Schwab, previously of Ron’s Disposal Inc.
Having spent many years working with Ron, Rick knew that Ron had over 30 years of valuable experience and knowledge and would be a major force in taking CCR to the next level. The first order of business was to update their fleet, in order, to become compliant with the ban on kitchen scraps imposed by the CRD and to order several thousand kitchen scraps containers to service their existing customer base. Since then, they have added six more trucks and the containers to support those trucks in addition to employing a dozen of the most customer
May 2021
FEATURE STORY
Brian Schwab with a Capital City Recycling truck
service-oriented employees available. This level of customer service was left over from the days at Ron’s Disposal. Ron always insisted on it and they have adopted as part of CCR’s scope of work replacing (garbage can) lids, courteous drivers, clean trucks and uniformed drivers, “and we are adamant about having people work for us that have good attitudes,” says Rick Van. Rick Van adds: “We get a lot of customers calling in and thanking us for the service we provide, and they often comment on the fact that our guys return the cans to the exact same position
Congratulations to the hardworking team at Capital City Recycling!
every time they drop them off, and return them to a safe location on windy days, when cans or lids can blow away. “Our team lays the cans on their sides or against a tree, so they do not blow away. We encourage them to go the extra mile,” he adds. Besides garbage and recycling services, CCR offers lawn and garden waste removal, confidential document destruction and a mini-bin service, ideal for smaller household driveways. The Rick and Ron partnership sees Ron handle the operations, while Rick looks after sales and marketing. Rick and Ron are proud to note CCR is locally owned and operated business. “We know most of our customers personally,” Ron says. www.ccrvictoria.com
Congratulations to Capital City Recycling! Proud to be a part of your success.
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21
OPINION
NDP MISSING THE BOAT – AGAIN – WITH HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
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MARK MACDONALD With the United States Senate voting unanimously to allow cruise ships bound for Alaska to bypass Victoria and Vancouver, BC’s tourism industry is about to take another hellacious pounding. The government has mandated that Canada’s ports will remain closed to cruise ships until at least February 28, 2022. The Senate’s motion must get through the House of Representatives and at this stage, is only a temporary measure to resuscitate the Alaskan cruise industry, but still. Victoria in particular would be hard hit, as cruise ships departing from San Francisco and Seattle stop in the capital as part of their technical stops in a Canadian port enroute to their destination. Ian Robertson, Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority,
is urging the provincial government to at least bend and require technical stops for refueling in BC. That won’t actually help the downtown Victoria businesses that depend on cruise ship tourist traffic in normal years, but it’s a stop. Robertson estimated last year’s closures would cost the Victoria economy $70 million. And the closures continue. So, while cruise ships are out and about throughout the world, Canada remains closed – until early next year. It’s another clear example of how the U.S. will do what is in their country’s best interests first – and proceed regardless of how it may affect other nations. With one-tenth of its population, Canada is, increasingly and glaringly, a rare consideration when Americans make major economic-based decisions. In this case, however, their autocratic tendencies will help the cruise industry float back towards the top – despite Canadian government closures. Let’s see if the NDP government can twist Ottawa’s arm to toss a life ring to the BC cruise industry – and all of the businesses that benefit from having boat tourists step onshore and spend. Meanwhile, Dr. Bonnie Henry’s erratic closed/ not closed/partial closed dictums to the hospitality industry must have restaurateurs apoplectic. Particularly on Vancouver Island, where, despite extremely low rates of COVID infections, we are still subjected to restrictions that address levels incurred in higher density jurisdictions like
May 2021
OPINION downtown Vancouver and the lower mainland. Opening and closing an establishment is not that simple, and every owner and manager knows that. There’s date-dependent inventory control and purchasing, as well as the difficulty of getting staff to come in for sporadic shifts – where their pre-tip remuneration is less than what they’ve been receiving at home, surviving (or thriving as some believe) on CERB benefits. No industry can operate without certainty and consistent operational conditions, and while some restaurants will survive the pandemic straightjacket, others undoubtedly will not. There are reports that some sectors of the restaurant industry are actually doing quite well, making decent profit margins due to increased take-out and delivery business. Much of that would be due to having less serving staff on hand. It will be interesting to see what happens to some of these eateries once restrictions are eliminated. Will they go back to being fullystaffed, or continue on with smaller payrolls to make a healthier bottom line. That’s the big question mark. Government propaganda and messaging is so pervasive that it has paralyzed people, imprisoning them in their own homes. I have yet to see or hear of any roadblocks or RCMP interrogations over vaccinations or masks – but we are told they are around every corner. Regarding restaurants, I’ve enjoyed some great meals in the past weeks and months. That, despite warnings that restaurants aren’t open for seating, and if you want to enjoy restaurant fare, pick it up or have it delivered. I won’t say when or where, but I’ve dined out
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fairly frequently at restaurants of my choosing. Be it on semi-covered tables or well-ventilated dining areas, it has been business as usual – for which I am thankful. So, are these establishments “breaking the law” or not? That probably depends on which day and which law – but who can keep up? The NDP’s inconsistency and unpredictability is once again wreaking havoc on the private sector, as they fail to recognize or acknowledge the plight of business owners and their need for stability and a level playing field. All business asks for is an environment in which they can conduct their affairs. Is that too much to ask? Mark MacDonald is President of Communication Ink Media & Public Relations Ltd. and can be reached at mark@communicationink.ca
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From the Trenches British Columbia business stories and commentary
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TOURISM
BRTIGHTER DAYS AHEAD
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Destination Greater Victoria Business Examiner Column – May 2021 I n my c olumns over the past number of months I have noted how difficult it has been for ou r members. Necessary public health rePAUL NURSEY strictions have meant discouragement of non-essential travel and limits on indoor gatherings. The American market – so vital to the viability of many tourism businesses in Greater Victoria – cannot be accessed. We continue to advocate for a re-opening plan. Jurisdictions such as the UK, Nevada and Saskatchewan now have re-opening plans. We feel BC should follow a similar model to provide certainty to our business community. In response to the public health restrictions, Destination Greater Victoria has focused on the local market. Prior to the latest round of restrictions, initiatives such as Dine Around & Stay In Town were highly successful and generated much-needed revenue for many of our members. Despite the difficulty operating now, there is reason for optimism. Shipments of the COVID-19 vaccine have increased. As more and more British Columbians become vaccinated and COVID-19 case counts decrease, the likelihood of a summer tourism season increases. We know travel will remain limited this year – likely to domestic travelers within BC or Canada.
However, this is better than the current situation. Many of our members generate most of their revenue in the summer months. Capitalizing on good weather when many traditionally take their holidays will be vital for many businesses to remain solvent through the fall and winter months later this year. Destination Greater Victoria is not only focused on the short term, but the medium and long terms as well. As Canadian and international markets reopen our marketing, sales and meetings teams are poised to attract business back to Greater Victoria. Like any destination, Greater Victoria is in competition with other destinations. We cannot waste a minute attracting leisure and business travelers back to our community. Therefore, our organization already has a plan in place – one that will be executed once public health restrictions are lifted and it is appropriate to travel again. The small businesses and entrepreneurs that comprise the Greater Victoria visitor economy persevered through these very difficult times. It will be devastating if there is a truncated or highly restricted summer season. But in the meantime, we look forward to the summer months and welcoming visitors back to Greater Victoria. Paul Nursey is the President and CEO of Destination Greater Victoria
May 2021
MOVERS AND SHAKERS
MOVERS & SHAKERS Announcements, business changes, celebrations and other hidden gems from around Central/North Vancouver Island. Curated just for you.
Submit your company’s announcement to: media@businessexaminer.ca
Sue Hodgson
Sue Hodgson will take the hel m as publ isher for the Peninsula News Review this coming June. Sue is the owner o f S e a side M aga z i ne , a nd i s a for mer p u blisher at both Boulevard Magazine and Page One Publishing.
A new proposal from the Postmark Group would see a six-storey development, reaching from Highway 14 all the way down to the waterfront in Sooke. It would be built out of mass timber, with 220 condos and 40,000 square feet of commercial retail space. The Postmark Group hopes to bring the proposal in front of Sooke Council by the end of the month. The Oaks at Dawson Heights, an 85-unit rental complex at 3700 Cedar Hill Road for seniors, was given the greenlight by Saanich Council to begin development soon. Dawson Heights Housing Society, the applicant, has committed to maintaining the rental rates at a level that’s consistent with the BC Housing and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation funding WWW.BUSINESSEX AMINER.CA
program requirements with eligibility criteria based on income. Council granted $170,000 to support the application from Saanich’s Affordable Housing Fund. Langford Council and the Island Corridor Foundation have announced plans for a new park on the railroad land at Station Avenue in downtown Langford. Phase one, a parking lot and dog park, should be ready by this fall. The city will take on a 30-year lease from the Island Corridor Foundation and develop it into a public-use area with up to $1 million in funding from the Union of BC Municipalities’ Gas Tax Fund. Phase two will be under construction by spring 2022. Colwood and Seacliff Properties have signed a development ag reement for t he Royal Beach waterfront property on a partially remed i ated g ravel m i ne. T he 130-acre property’s plan calls for nearly one-third of the area to be parks, with the rest a combo of commercial and residential space. Up to 2,850 homes in mixtures of detached houses, townhouses and apartments will be allowed. Capone’s Chicken is opening soon in downtown
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MOVERS AND SHAKERS Esqu i m a lt at 4-612 Head St reet. w w w. caponeschicken.com The Northwest Cider Association invites visitors to explore BC cider by visiting cideries and picking up BC cider at local retailers during BC Cider Week 2021, being held May 20-30. Cideries across the province are coming together to provide safe and creative ways for consumers to appreciate BC cider. From exciting seasonal releases to cider-infused food pop-ups and more, cider lovers can stay up to date on what’s happening here. Oak Bay’s Windsor Cafe, located at 2540 Windsor Road, has plenty of patio space for diners to enjoy a great meal from their ever-changing menu. https://windsorcafevictoria.ca
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Victoria’s Loghouse Pub at 2323 Millstream Road is offering great takeout specials. http:// loghousepub.ca
Victoria’s Tiny Home Village in North Park has opened. A collaboration between BC Housing, the city, and Our Place Society, the village will house a single resident in each of the 30,160 sq. ft. units in the Royal Athletic Park parking lot. The Capital Regional District (CRD) bought two parcels of land from Waultraut Schnarr for $1.1 million, expanding Mount Work Regional Park by another 13.8 hectares. The land is at the southwest border of the park, in the District of Highlands. Hanging With Hounds is the first company serving the Sooke Region certified as a BC SPCA’s AnimalKind accredited dog trainer. The AnimalKind prog ra m sets out science-based training standards to ensure humane treatment for dogs. They Sharon Labossier is trainer at will be taking new in-perHanging With son clients in the Sooke, Hounds Langford and Victoria areas commencing June 2021. www.hangingwithhounds.ca Electronics repair shop uBreakiFix is now open in Victoria at 1088 Douglas Street. The store offers repairs on smartphones, tablets, computers, and more.
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View Royal Council gave final approval to the first of two developments on Erskine Lane for a six-storey, 71-unit residential building near Victoria General Hospital. The second project, a four-building design from West Urban Developments, has yet to reach the development permit stage. Construction of a state-of-the-art passive house building for 398 University of Victoria students has begun. The new student housing and dining building, just south of May 2021
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the Student Union Building, constructed of concrete and mass timber, will be complete in September 2022, with a second building expected to open in 2023. To see a video featuring the project, click here. Alexzi Building Solutions has narrowed down its location for a new 150,000 square foot manufacturing plant to Langford and North Cowichan. Once in operation, the plant would make durable, energy efficient and rapidassembly construction panels. The facility would employ up to 200 local residents. A federal grant will help Saanich install more new electric vehicle (EV) chargers at municipal facilities. The district plans to further electrify its municipal vehicle fleet, adding 22 Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations at five municipal facilities by fall of 2022. Installation of the chargers will cost $220,000, paid for via funding from Natural Resources Canada’s Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program. View Royal has approved the Capital Regional District’s request to borrow up to $34.3 million to upgrade aging wastewater pipes, manhole covers and pump stations throughout the core area service region. CRD staff have planned out five years’ worth of upgrades to parts of the wastewater infrastructure that are nearing the end of their useful life. Pennsylvania-based Aquatech International has tapped Victoria’s Pani Energy to help reduce the costs of the desalination process using Pani’s cloud-based AI technology at a number of their desalination plants. www. panienergy.com Victoria’s Crowd Content Media, a content creation service provider that helps global brands create high-quality, large-scale content, has added Cathy Fernandes to its Board of Directors. Cathy is President and CEO of marketing agency Mr. & Mrs. Jones Inc. w ww. WWW.BUSINESSEX AMINER.CA
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a grand prize of up to $1.5 million. To learn more, click here. Local Victoria charity Beacon Community Services has announced Tricia Gueu lette w i l l b e app o i n t e d C h i e f E xe c u t i v e O f f i c e r Ju n e 10th. Current CEO Bob Boulter announced his intention to step down from the position earlier this year.
Victoria’s CryoLogistics Refrigeration Technologies Ltd. is one of 24 semi-finalists for Streams A and B of the $20-million Food Waste Reduction Challenge, an initiative under the Food Policy for Canada. Each semi-finalist will receive $100,000 and move on to the market demonstration stage of the Challenge. Each finalist will receive up to an additional $400,000, with one winner per stream awarded
McDonald Campground i n Gulf Islands National Park Reserve just north of Sidney has been renamed SMONECTEN, to recognize regional First Nations. The new name comes from the local SENCOTEN language and means “fir pitch place.” The Malahat SkyWalk located between Victoria and Duncan will open for visitors in July 2021. the SkyWalk will take visitors 250 metres above sea level, offering 360-degree views of Finlayson Arm, the Saanich Inlet, the Saanich Peninsula, the Gulf Islands, the San Juan Islands, Mount Baker, and the Coast Mountain Range. Langford Emergency Support Services is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Saanich Council unanimously agreed to end discussions with the BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) regarding plans to bring a potential casino to the municipality. The BCLC remains interested in bringing a hotel and entertainment facility to eastern Saanich without a casino. Cori Coutts and the field team staff at Victoria’s Knappett Projects Inc. were awarded for leadership and contributions to COVID-19 safety in the industry during the British Columbia Construction Association’s Fourth Annual Construction and Skilled Trades Month. Cori is the safety manager at Victoria’s Knappett Projects Inc., overseeing the field team’s creation, implementation and maintenance of safe job sites during the pandemic. A new and expanded day surgery unit has opened at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital. Community donations funded the entire $3.5 million cost of the project. the expanded unit will increase access to medical daycare and support the delivery of surgeries for people accessing care close to home. May 2021
MOVERS AND SHAKERS Saanich council has approved Beckwith, Cadboro-Gyro and Gorge Waterway parks for a food truck pilot this summer. Each park will have up to two trucks on site every day until 9pm. After the summer, staff will report back to council and the program could expand. Eddy Liu is the new manager at Woodshed Pizza at 103-2360 Beacon Avenue in Sidney’s Garden Court. www.woodshedsidney.com Edmonton-based York Realty plans to build a 45,200-square-metre warehouse worth over $50 million with a height of almost 23 metres on Victoria International Airport land across the street from a residential neighbourhood. The building would go up on an empty grass lot on the north side of Beacon Avenue West between Galaran and McDonald Park roads on land outside of Sidney’s control. A two-space electric vehicle charging station has opened on Store Street, between Johnson Street and Pandora Avenue in Victoria. The Store Street station is part of BC Hydro’s EV expansion fourth phase plan, which includes twinning or adding 31 stations across the province in 2021. From the Trenches Podcast Episode 19 features Peter van Dongen of MNP. Peter van Dongen is a Senior Manager of Business Development at MNP, a national accounting, tax and business consulting firm with 5 offices on Vancouver Island. Peter talks about how his firm and other organizations are adapting to doing business in the midst of a pandemic, the local economy, the Vancouver Island Economic Summit, and much more. Listen here. Visa Canada has announced recipients of the She’s Next Grant Program, providing ten women-owned small businesses with $10,000 grants and resources, including Victoria’s Goldilocks Goods. Founded by Amy Hall, Goldilocks Goods makes natural and WWW.BUSINESSEX AMINER.CA
eco-friendly alternative to plastic wrap, handmade using locally sourced beeswax. www. goldilocksgoods.com Over 680 rural Saanich residents could benefit now that the Saanich Fire Department has successfully passed a re-accreditation process recognizing their ability to transport water to fire scenes that aren’t close to hydrants. By receiving
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MOVERS AND SHAKERS this accreditation, the fire insurance grading index for residential properties in waterless areas of Saanich may have changed and homeowners could see a significant reduction in their annual fire insurance premiums. The Province of BC’s Clean Coast, Clean Water Initiative has awarded $2M to fund the Salish Sea Indigenous Marine Stewardship Project, a collaboration between Songhees Development Corporation, Salish Sea Industrial Services Ltd (SSIS) and the Dead Boats Disposal Society. The project will see the removal of 100 derelict boats from the coastal waters around southern Vancouver Island.
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206 BC tech start-ups, including 23 companies from Victoria, have moved onto Round 2 the 21st Annual New Ventures BC Competition, presented by Innovate BC. Winners will be announced September 27th. To see the list of Round 2 startups, click here. https://innovatebc.ca American clothing retailer L.L. Bean will open its first stores in British Columbia this year, including one in Victoria at the Mayfair Shopping Centre in August. The expansion comes after the outdoor apparel company opened three stores in Ontario in 2020. The other BC store will be in Burnaby. The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) has brought back art and food vendors to Victoria›s Inner Harbour. A reduced amount have returned with 23 art and food vendors spaced out along the lower causeway, or 50 percent of the harbour’s usual capacity. The vendors will be open from 10am-10pm daily until September 12th. Canadian sports nutrition brand Näak has officially partnered with the BC Parks Foundation for an exciting initiative called 3 per cent For The Forests to help protect the province’s forests, maintain its trails, and safeguard the wildlife and endangered species that call it home.
Greg D’Avignon, President and CEO of the Business Council of British Columbia, talks his organization’s new Economic Dashboard, ESG in BC, opportunities for economic growth in the province, innovation, sustainability and much more in From the Trenches. Listen to Part 1.
Greg D’Avignon
Vancouver Island Brewing has announced Pod Pack 2021, a new collaborative sampler pack to raise funds for the preservation of wild BC salmon stocks, a vital food source for the Southern Resident Killer Whales residing in the Salish Sea. The sampler features four beers created in collaboration with other island breweries, each named after one of the whales in the local pods studied by marine biologists. The collaborating breweries include Whistle Buoy Brewing, Mayne Island Brewing, Ace Brewing and Ucluelet Brewing. For details, click here. The Beacon Drive-In Restaurant at 126 Douglas Street in Victoria has an open patio for visitors to enjoy the spring weather. Check out their menu here. The Sidney location of Buds Cannabis is now open at 9775 Second Street. In honour of Cinco de Mayo, Victoria chef Israel Alvarez announced that MAiiZ Nixtamal Tortillería customers can exchange any masa powder and store-bought corn tortillas brought into his business for freshly-made nixtamal masa dough and tortillas throughout the month of May. MAiiZ is open Tuesday to Sunday 9am-6pm, at 540 Fisgard Street. MAiiZ nixtamal products, meal kits, and more can also be found here and at retail locations across Vancouver Island.
May 2021
MOVERS AND SHAKERS
Doug Tate
Head Coach Doug Tate is retiring after 27 years and multiple championship w i n s w it h t he U V IC V i k e s m e n’s r u g b y program. Coach Tate led the Vikes to three Canadian University titles, two BC Premier League Championships and six national Sevens titles.
The Wilson’s Group has launched its zeroemissions fleet strategy with a new electric bus pi lot project w ith battery-powered electric bus manufacturer BYD Canada. The Model C8M, 41-passenger highway coach will serve Vancouver Island Connector’s daily route between Nanaimo and Victoria in a three-month trial and could offer an approx i mately 97-percent reduction i n emissions.
The new Songhees Cannabis S + S store held a soft launch at its 1502 Admirals Road location in Victoria. Songhees partnered with the Seed and Stone cannabis company to open the store. Sooke plans to begin construction of the $4.9-million Church Road corridor project this summer, which would see a half-kilometre, two-lane, all-season road built on Church Road from Highway 14 to Throup Road. The design includes a roundabout at Church and Throup roads and extensive upgrades to the intersection at Church Road and Highway 14 to extend the southbound turn lane into the town centre. The first phase of the project is expected to cost $2 million. E nt re pre n e u r Cy nt h ia Cu m m i ngs h a s launched The Funky Food Truck in Colwood’s Royal Bay, serving wraps, burgers, fries and more. It will share a parking lot with Sequoia Coffee across from Royal Bay High.
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